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New motorcycle fee intended to increase safety for Oklahoma riders

A $3 fee for those registering motorcycles in Oklahoma will be used to promote safety for riders.

BY MATT PATTERSON •
Published: September 7, 2010

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Steve Seely has been riding motorcycles since he was 14. One thing his years on the road have taught him is that you never can spend too much time thinking about safety when you're on a bike.

A Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle at Maxiey's Cycle. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

A $3 fee that takes effect Nov. 1 is intended to help fund motorcycle safety and education training for both experienced and inexperienced riders.

Consumers will pay the fee when registering their motorcycles.

Seely, 51, of El Reno, is glad to see the state provide the training.

Seely has been in his fair share of scrapes over the years, including one in Tennessee in 2008 when a woman pulled out in front of him, forcing him to stop suddenly.

The accident totaled his bike and sent him to the hospital with several injuries.

"The highway patrolman who came to the hospital said he was looking for the luckiest man in Tennessee," Seely said.

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According to Oklahoma Tax Commission records, 123,906 motorcycles were registered in Oklahoma last year, a 7.4 percent increase from 2008.

At a time when government regulations and taxes are taking a beating nationwide, it seems most in the motorcycle community are in favor of the new fee.

Bruce Horne, of Oklahoma City, is a longtime rider who hosts a local radio show about motorcycles.

"Personally, I have no qualms about it, and I don't know anyone who does," Horne said. "I think anything that promotes safety is a good thing. I think we could also use a little more education for motorists on how to be a little more aware of people on bikes."